Oregon woman pleads guilty to having 39 pounds of pot

Apr. 17, 2012

Elizabeth C. Lapple

Written by

Russell Plummer

The Reporter

JUNEAU — A 30-year-old Oregon woman has been convicted of possessing 39 pounds of marijuana in Dodge County.

Elizabeth C. Lapple pleaded guilty Monday to one count of possessing more than 10,000 grams of marijuana with intent to deliver.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 18.

At 8:41 p.m. Dec. 26, 2011, Sgt. Brian Loos spotted a recreational vehicle with a defective taillight driving east on Highway 33 in the town of Herman, according to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.

Lapple did not make sense while trying to answer questions, according to the report.

Deputy Chad Enright and his K9 partner, Paige, arrived for a search.

Paige picked up on a scent that led officers to more than 39 pounds of marijuana underneath a bed in the RV, according to the Sheriff's Department.

The marijuana had a street value of more than $120,000.

"This case represents clear proof that the Sheriff's K9 program was well worth the investment," District Attorney Kurt Klomberg said. "I want to commend Sgt. Loos, Deputy Enright and K9 Paige on a job very well done."

Sheriff Todd Nehls told The Reporter that the investigation did not uncover other suspects.

"She did forfeit the RV to the Dodge County Sheriff's Department," Nehls said. "She was not cooperating with us (during the investigation)."

The addition of two K9s to the department is paying off, Nehls said.

The creation of the K9 program, he said, was based on the fact that Dodge County has the same drug issues evident in the rest of the state.